So you want to be a councillor or mayor?

Anyone can stand for election as a councillor or mayor, provided you are over 18 and an Australian citizen. It does not matter if you are male or female; Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or born outside Australia. You may be a young adult, a person living with a disability, a working person or a retiree.

The Queensland Government values the contribution that diversity brings to our community and encourages anyone who wants to participate in making decisions and delivering services for the benefit of their community to stand for local government.

Information for prospective candidates in Queensland local government elections

Role of a councillor or mayor

The role of a local government councillor is a demanding one. It requires knowledge of local government legislation, policies and systems, an interest in people and a willingness to invest time and energy in serving the needs and interests of the local community.

What you need to know

If you want to stand for election as a local government candidate you should understand the respective roles and responsibilities of a councillor and mayor and the key functions of local government in Queensland.

The information provided below is designed for anyone interested in becoming a local government candidate. It is relevant to all local government elections, including quadrennial elections, and by elections.